New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson Exploring Complete Elimination of Public Comment Period During City Council Meetings

NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- Talk of the Sound has learned that New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson has been exploring the elimination of the Citizens to be Heard public comment period held as part of City Council Meetings. Multiple sources have confirmed the Mayor has been sounding out City Council Members.

Bramson who has served on the City Council for 19 years is said to be tired of listening to criticism and complaints from residents.

Bramson did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The news comes as the New Rochelle Board of Education considers a proposal to significantly curtail public comment during school board meetings. School board members explicitly stated the motivation behind their plan is to emulate City Council meetings.

David Lacher, who has served 23 years on the New Rochelle Board of Education, has been the primary actor in pushing restrictions on the public comment period during school board elections as part of a broader effort to resist accountability for school board members.